Belgium is showing the way on the #Gaza crisis.
✅ Condemned 7/10 killings by Palestinian armed groups;
✅ Questioned legality of some Israeli airstrikes;
✅ Condemned Israel's collective punishment of Palestinians & called for targeted sanctions on those responsible;
✅ Expressed support for the ICC’s role and its ongoing investigation on the situation in Palestine, which includes jurisdiction over the current hostilities between the Israeli government and Palestinian armed groups.
EU govts have long been divided on Israel-Palestine. The divide has paralyzed the EU, whose foreign policy has to be unanimously approved by its 27 states, some of which continue to offer seemingly unconditional support for the Israeli govt & shield it from accountability.
In fact, European diplomats had to fight to secure even basic calls to Israeli authorities to respect international humanitarian law in their response to the October 7 attacks.
It should not be difficult for a bloc that says it promotes the universal application of international law both to urge the Israeli govt to stop committing war crimes, and to condemn Palestinian armed groups for their killing of Israeli civilians & hostage taking.
Yet, as the EU seems unable to reach such position, it’s up to each member states to speak up for international law & adopt measures to protect human rights & advance accountability.
Belgium shows the way: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/16/belgium-overcomes-eu-struggles-send-strong-message-gaza
Despite the horrific and mounting human costs of the grave violations of international humanitarian law in Israel and Palestine, the 27 EU member states have been unable to reach a unanimous position condemning war crimes committed by all parties and calling for accountability. But the Belgian government has shown that it is possible for individual EU governments to stick to principles and not hide behind a lack of consensus at the EU level.
@andrewstroehlein How odd that American Republicans are the only political voices of consequence able to demand the extradition of the architect of the October 7th atrocities.
Not even HRW is willing to make the step of demanding the arrest of someone who ordered a genocide and launched a war of terrible humanitarian crisis, celebrated the results and repeatedly promised more of the same.
Why bother calling for him to obey laws if you're unwilling to demand he face consequences for his crimes?
Andrew Stroehlein
OpenDNA⚙️